A Chiropractor’s Tips for Healthy Aging and Feeling Better

Staff Writer

A senior adult patient who comes in for chiropractic treatments because of chronic pain said, “If I knew I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself.” Many seniors look to their chiropractors to help keep them feeling their best.

Living a long time is not the same as enjoying life for a long time. So, what’s the key to achieving a better quality of life? It often goes back to the ability to physically move without pain or reduced range of motion. These obstacles make it difficult for people to perform simple daily activities and prevent them from enjoying life’s best moments.

There’s a group of golfers who find chiropractic helpful – the youngest is 68, and the oldest is 79. They would report pain issues occasionally, but most of their statements go something like “Doc, I am not hitting the ball as straight as I was” or “I feel like I am not turning or twisting as well this week.”

What things can’t you do now that you used to do?

Your doctor of chiropractic – your specialist in musculoskeletal issues and conditions – can be an excellent resource for healthier aging, feeling better, and doing the activities you want to do.

What You Need to Know About Exercising

Here are some fundamental steps to take before taking on any physical activity:

1. Do a self-evaluation of where you are. You need to be honest about where you are and realize that change is going to take time. What is it that you struggle with doing? Are there any activities you used to enjoy but stopped due to pain or other physical issues?
2. Be patient enough to start slow and work up from there. It’s easy to become frustrated when we don’t get results fast enough. You need to be willing to commit to the process and build from there.
3. Exercise is not only great for the body but also great for the mind. Don’t underestimate the overall benefits of both the physical and mental aspects of the process.

Your doctor of chiropractic is a terrific resource in finding out how to begin your exercising routine, what it should look like for you, and when it’s the right time to add new exercises to it. Remember, always consult with a doctor of chiropractic or other healthcare professional before starting any new exercise program.

4 Basic Exercises to Consider

One of the determining factors for how well we feel is how well we can move physically. Here are a few exercises chiropractors may recommend to begin improving your health.

• • Exercise 1: Single Leg Stance
    This is a simple exercise to improve balance and increase leg muscle strength. Stand behind a sturdy chair (no wheels or folding chairs). Hold on to the back of the chair with both hands. Lift your right foot and balance on your left foot. Hold as long as you can, then switch feet. The goal is standing on one foot without holding onto the chair and maintaining that pose for up to a minute.

• • Exercise 2: Walking Heel to Toe
    Put your right foot in front of your left foot so that the heel of your right foot touches the top of the toes of your left foot. Move your left foot in front of your right, putting your weight on your heel. Then, shift your weight to your toes. Repeat the step with your left foot. Walk this way for 20 steps. Note: If you need help with balance, you may want to start this exercise next to a wall, about an arm’s length away).

• • Exercise 3: Back Leg Raises
    Chiropractors will recommend this exercise for strengthening glut and low back muscles. Stand behind the sturdy chair. Slowly lift your right leg straight back – don’t bend your knees or point your toes. Hold that position for one second, and then slowly bring your leg back down. Repeat this 10-15 times per leg.

• • Exercise 4: Wall Pushups
    Stand an arm’s length in front of a solid blank wall. Lean forward slightly and put your palms flat on the wall at your shoulders’ height and width. Keep your feet planted on the floor as you slowly bring your body toward the wall. Gently push yourself back, so your arms are straight. Do 20 of these. 

Benefits of Chiropractic Care 

A Doctor of Chiropractic can be a great addition to your healthcare team. Chiropractors believe in optimizing health through food nutrition, constructive exercise, stress management, and the importance of good posture and joint mobility.

CUKC Chiropractic Health Center

Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC), founded in 1922, is a private, nonprofit, chiropractic and health science-focused university in Overland Park, Kansas. The CUKC on-campus Chiropractic Health Center is open to the public and treats patients from Kansas City’s 15-county metro area. Our goal is to provide care and solutions for a better, more productive life for our patients.